Driving mechanism for oscillating fans.



G. OLSON. DRIVING MECHANISM FOR OSCILLATING FANS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25. 1914.

1 1 79,647. Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Mifiesaes: 4/ ZM/enTo'r 77(M zM/VMW 45 GufZZf Olson THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co. WASHINGTON. D. c.

G. OLSON.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR OSCILLATING FANS.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 25,19I4.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1,179,647. Patented Apr. 18,1916.

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4 31+ 532/ 2/ 20 33 I933 3l+ g THB COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH ,co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

GUSTAF OLSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO LOUIS GREENIBEBG AND ONE-THIRD TO WILLARD M. MCEWEN, BOTH OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRIVING- MECHANISM FOR QSCILLATING FANS.

Application filed July 25, 1914.

To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, GUS'IAF OLSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chica o, in the county of Cook and State of Illinols, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanism for Oscillating Fans; and I do hereby declare This invention relates to electrlc fans and more particularly to that type of such fans to which is imparted an oscillatory move ment during the operation thereof.

The subject-matter of the present invention has particular reference to the mechanism for effecting the oscillatory movement of the fan. I

Among the objectsof the invention is to improve the construction of such mechanism in the several particulars as will hereinafter appear, and also to provide means capable of adjustment whereby the degree of oscillation of the fan may be varied as desired. I

The invention consists further in the mat ters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Inthe accompanying drawings: Figure l is a fragmentary side view in side. elevation of a fan having applied thereto a driving mechanism, constructed in accordance. with my invention, by means of which said fan is oscillated; the parts of such mechanism.

a fragmentary vertical-sectional view takenon line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a similar vertical sectional view taken online 4% of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the base or stand, the motor and parts above the stand being omitted for the sake of clearness of illustration; and Fig. 7 "is a rear elevational' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

Serial No. 853,249.

view of the worms and gears connecting the glriving mechanism with the motor of the In said drawings I have shown my driving mechanism applied to an electric fan, the same comprising a supporting member or stand 1 upon which is mounted for oscillationabout a vertical axis a motor casing 3. The armature shaft 4 of said motor is, as shown, journaled in bearings provided on the end-walls of said casing 3. One end of said motor shaft l extends outside of said casing 3 and has secured thereto the blades 5, 5 of the fan. (See Fig. 1.) Secured to and depending from the bottom of said casing 3 is a vertical spindle or'shaft 6, journaled in an up-- wardly opening socket provided in said base 1. Said spindle 6 is permitted to be rotated about a vertical axis, or on an axis transverse to the axis of said armature shaft 4, but said spindle is held from vertical movement with respect to said base 1 by means of a screw 1 inserted transversely through said base 1 and having its inner end engaging an annular groove or channel 1 in said spindle 6. (See Fig. 1.) In order to effect the oscillation of said motor casing 3, together with its armature shaft and fan blades, about a vertical axis during the r0- tation of the motor and connected fan blades, I provide a driving and clutch mechanism of the following construction: At the upper end of the stand 1 is provided an outwardly extending annular flange 7 provided with an upwardly facing annular toothed rack 8 concentrically arranged with respect to the vertical spindle 6. Meshing with said rack 8 at opposite sides thereof are vertically arranged gear pinions 9, 10. Said gear pinions ,9, 10 are loosely mounted on a horizontal drive-shaft 11 located above the stand and extending through and journaled in said vertical spindle 6. Said shaft 11 extends beyond said annular fiange 7 and is also journaled in a bearing 12 depending from the motor-casing 3 at one side of said vertical shaft 6. (See Fig. 1.) Said shaft 11 is positively driven by the motor 2 through the medium of worms 13, 14: and worm gears 15, 16. (See Fig. 7.) The .worm 13 is mounted on that end of the motor shaft 4 opposite the fan blades 5, 5 and meshes with the worm gear 15 mounted upon the;

upper end 'of' a vertical shaftl'? 'journaled" intermediate its ends ina bearing 18 secured to the motor-casing 3, The worm 14 .is mounted on the lower end of said vertical shaft 17 and'meshes with theworm gear 16 secured to the horizontal shaft 11.

For reversing the action: of the driving shaft 11 and alternately connecting the gear pinions 9, with said. shaft l1, so as to effect the oscillation of the motor 2 and itsv connected parts first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, I. providega clutch, device of the following construction: The clutch device includes sleeves or collars 19, 2O slidably mounted on, said, shaft 11 between said gea-r pinions 9,. l0. Said sleeves 1'9, 20 are splined: to the shaft, 11 by means of keys or the like 21, 21,.so that said.

sleeves will rotatewith said. shaft 11. There I is a sleeve for each gear pinion and; eachsleeve is provided inits face opposite its associated gear pinion with. afplurality of clutch teeth 22', 22 adapted. to coast. or inter lock with projections 23,23 on the opposed face of the adjacent gear pinion .9, 10. As

shown in the drawings,v said projection. 23

is formed by bending outwardly the free end of a fiat arch-shaped spring 24 secured of said shift rod 26 are yokes 27, 28 which engage annular grooves in said sleeves The rod. 26 is moved endwise to effect the clutching of one of the'sleeve's 19, 20 with the associated gear 'pinions 9, 10 by means of the following construction: Each. sleeve 19, 20 is provided intermediate its ends with a ]c lurality of circumferentially spaced, radial projections or lugs 29, 29; adapted to coact' with laterally and inwardly extending cam projections 30, 30 on clutch shiftca'marms each pivoted at one end to a bracket 33 madev integral with the verticalshaft 6. Said bracket 33 is located above the shaft 1'1 and preferably opposite the shift rod 26'. Said arms are of the. form shown in the drawingsv and extend over and parti'ally'around the hubs 25 of the gear pinions 9; 10. The lower or free end of each arm 31, 32 is adapted tobear against and travel over (in the oscillation of the motor) an upwardly facing bearing surface or track provided; on said annular flange 7 inside of said rack 8. The arm 32 located between the sleeve 20 and the gear pinion 10 v a i s: fre d. b a nsaga n t n an ular ing l'evers 31, 32', preferably in the form of track 34 on-said flange 7. The lower or free end of the-other arm 31; bears against a ring 35 rotatively mounted upwardly opening 'annular channel 36. formed. in the annular flange 7 between the rack 8 and adjusted circumferentially of the vertical shaft 6 in the annular channel36 by means of a set screw 37 extending upwardly into said channel 36 through an arcuate slot 38 in said flange 7. Said. set screw has thread-- ed engagement with said ring 35.; Said track. 34 and. said ring 35'are each provided With an upwardly opening .arcuate slot-3,9, 40, respectively, (see Fig. 6)., the purpose of which. will presently appear. Said shift rod 26- is yieldingly retained in: one or the said; track 34'. The ring 35 is adapted to be other of the positions in which it is shifted by means of'a vertically movable block 41 provided withv a downwardly opening verti cal slot 42 adapted, to receive a stop-pin 43; on'said spindle 6'. Said block 41 is provided withlaterally extending arms 44, 45 extending through upwardly opening vertical slots 46, 46 provided in ears orlugs 47 47 onsaid yoke members 27, 28. "Each arm 44., 45, is, provided intermediate itsends with'a depending projection-'48 adapted is form downwardly opening grooves. or recesses on. each side of said projection. Said projection 48 is'adapted to ride over and past the base'of the slots 46, 46 in the movement of the shift rod 26 endwise andthe grooves on each side of theprojections receiving thelugs 47 maintains the shiftrod in one or the other of the positionsinto which it is shifted. The arms of said block 41 are nor.- 7

mally urged against the lugs 47, 47 by a spring 49 bearing downwardly on the block 41. See Figs. 1,2 and 4.) I

The device herein shown and described operates in the following manner: .VVhen theparts are in the positions shown in Fig. 2, the sleeves 19,20 have beenshifted to the left and the gear pinion 9 is connected with its associated sleeve 19, thereby connecting the gear pinion 9 with the horizontal shaft 11. The other gear pinion 10 at the opposite endof'the shaft '11 is disconnected from its associated; sleeve 20 and the gear pinion 1'0 isfree to rotateon said shaft '11. The motor is started'by turning on the current and the shaft 11 being driven by the motor acts to rotate-the gear pinion 9, and the latter meshing with "the annular 1 rack- 8 acts to. turn or rotate the'motor and its associated,

parts with respect to the stationary base 1, in one direction. The shaft 11 and associated parts being mounted on the vertical spindle 6, the same are carried around with the motor in the oscillation thereof. The cam-operating arms 31, 32, being mounted on the spindle 6, are carried around with the motor in the oscillation. thereof. a The ee tdsof. th a sfih 3'2 bear again t the track 34; and the ring-'35, respectively,

at such elevation with respect to the clutch sleeves 19, 20 that the cam projections of said arms are held above or radially outside of the path of movement of the lugs 29, 29 on the rotating sleeves 19, 20, by the action of the said track and ring on the arms. The sleeve 19 having been moved toward and into clutching engagement with the gear pinion 9, the cam projection 30 on the arm 31 is outside of the path of the lugs on said rotating sleeve 19. The other sleeve 20 having been moved out of engagement with the associated gear pinion 10, the cam projection 30 on the associated arm 32 is exterior to the path of movement of the lugs 29, 29 on said sleeve 20. When the free end of the cam arm 31 enters the slot in the ring 35, said arm 31 drops under its own weight and its cam projection 30 descends into the path of movement of the lugs 29 on said rotative sleeve 19. (See Fig. 5.) In Fig. 4, the arm 31 is shown in full lines as held in its raised position above the lugs 29, 29,

while in dotted lines said arm is shown in the position it occupies after its free end drops into the slot in said ring 35 and the cam projection 30 on said arm 31 is in the path of movement of. the lugs on said sleeve 19. In this position of the parts one of the lugs 29 comes into contact with the cam projection on the arm 31 and as said lug passes said cam projection it acts to force thesleeve 19 away from the associated gear pinion 9, thereby shifting the clutch device and disconnecting said sleeve from said gear pinion 9, while moving the opposite sleeve 20'into interlocking engagement with the other gear pinion 10. Said gear pinion 10 is then connected with the shaft 11 and the oscillation of the motor in the opposite direction is effected. The lower or free end of the other cam arm 32 bears against and travels over the track 34 and as soon as the end of said arm enters the slot 39in said track the arm drops under its own weight and effects the shifting of the clutch device into the position shown in Fig. 1 in the same manner as above described with reference to the cam arm 31. The shifting of the clutch device is automatic and reverses theaction of the shaft 11 at the end of each period of oscillation of the motor.

In order to vary the degree of oscillation in both directions is of short duration. By shifting the ring 35 so as to increase the angular distance between the slots, the period of oscillation of the motor is increased as the end of the cam arm associated with the ring 35 travels over a greater part of the circumference of the ring before entering the slot A0 in said ring. By ti ghtening the set screw 37 the ring 35 is held. in its position of adjustment.

The driving and clutch mechanism above described are all housed within a protecting casing or cover 50 secured to the motor casing 3. Said cover is preferably made in two parts so that it can be readily applied and removed. As shown, the fan is provided with a wire guard 51 covering the fan blades 5, 5. The spring 24 forming the connection between the associated gear pinion 9, 10 and clutch sleeve 19, 20, when such parts are clutched together such connection is resilient or yielding in character and permits the clutch teeth on the sleeve to slip past the end of said spring in case the associated sleeve is rotated suddenly with respect to the connected gear pinion. This guards against the breakage of parts.

Although I have shown and described my driving and clutch mechanism as applied to an electric fan, yet it is to be understood that such mechanism may be employed in connection with any device wherein it is desired to impart an oscillatory movement of one member of such device with respect to another member thereof. As described, the motor 2 and its casing and fan blades 3 and 5, respectively, may constitute one member, while the supporting base or stand 1 may constitute another member, said members being rotatably mounted with respect to each other and my driving and clutch mechanism being adapted in the actuation thereof to effect the relative rotation of said members with respect to each other.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination of a pair of members rotatably mounted relatively to each other, driving mechanism adapted to effect the relative rotation of said members and including a clutch device adapted to be actuated to reverse the action of said driving mechanism, and clutch-shifting means embracing arms mounted on one of said members, an annular track and ring on the other of said members, said arms having bearing against said track and ring, respectively, said track and ring each being provided with means adapted in the relative rotation of said members to afford movement of said arms relatively to said driving mechanism.

cluding a clutch device adapted to be actu "arms relatively to said drivingrmechanism and effect the shifting of said clutch device, and said ring being capable of adjustment circumferentially about the axis of rotation of said members relatively to each other.

3. The combination of a pair of members rotatively mounted relatively to each other,

driving mechanism adapted to effect the.

relative rotation of said members and including a clutch device adapted to be actuated to reverse the action of said driving mechanism, and clutch-shifting means em bracing an arm pivotally mounted on one of said members and an annular track on the other of said members; said arm having bearing on said track and the latter being provided with a depressed portion adapted in the relative rotation of said members to afford movement of said arm relatively to said driving mechanism and effect the shifting of said clutch device.

4. The; combination of a pair of members rotatively mounted relatively to each other, driving mechanism adapted to effect the relative rotation of said members and including a clutch device adapted to be actuated to reverse the action of said driving mechanism, and means for shifting said clutch device embracing an arm pivotally mounted on one of said members and an annular track on the other of saidemembers; said arm having bearing on said track and the latter being provided with a slot adapted to receive the free end of said arm in the relative rotation of said members, permitting said arm to move relatively to said driving mechanism for effecting the shifting of said clutch device.

. 5. The combination of a pair of members rotatively mounted relatively to each other,

driving mechanism adapted to efiect the relative rotation of said members and including a clutch device adapted to be a'ctu ated to reverse the action of said driving mechanism, and clutch-shifting means embracing an arm pivotally mounted on one of said members and an annular ring on the other of said members, said arm having bearing on said.ring and the latter being provided with a depressed portion adapted in the relative rotation of said members to permit said arm to move relatively to said driving mechanism and effect the shifting of said clutch device; said. ring being capable of adjustment circumferentiall-y. about the axis of rotation of said members relati-velyto each. other. Y I 6. The combination o-fa pair of members rotatively mounted relatively to eachkother,

driving mechanism adapted to effect the relative rotation ofrsaidjmembersand including a clutch device adapted to be 3.01711? ated to reverse the action of said driving mechanism, and clutch-shifting. means embracing an arm pivotally mounted on one of said members and an annular trackon the other of said members, said armihaving bearing on said track, and the'latter being provided with a slot adapted in the relative rotation of said members to receive the 'free tive sleeve adapted to. be moved endwise to:

reverse the action of said driving mechanism, an arm pivotallymounted on one of said members, an annular track on the other of said members, said arm having bearing on said track and the latter and said arm. having coacting parts adapted in the relative rotation of said members. to permit thev movement of said arm toward said sleeve, said sleeve being provided with "a lug and said arm being provided with a cam projection adapted in the movement of said arm toward saidsleeve to be moved into the path of movement of said lug and efi'ecttheshift f ing of said sleeve endwis'e. I

8. The combination/of a pair of members rotatively mounted relatively' to each other,

driving mechanismv adapted to effect the relative'rot'ation of said members and including a clutch device adapted to be actuated to reverse the action of said driving, mechanism, and clutch-shifting means em bracing a pair of arms pivotally mounted on one of sa1d members and an annular track and rlng on the other of sald members,

said arms having bearing on said track and ring, respectively, and said track and ring being both provided with a slot adapted: in the relative rotation of said members to receive the free ends of said arms and permit the same to move relatively to said driving mechanism; said. arms and said driving mechanism being provided with coaoting parts adapted to effect, the shifting of said clutch device.

9. The combination of a pair of members rotatively mounted relatively to each other,

an annular rack on one of said-membersga shaft, pinions loosely mounted on said shaft and meshing with said rack at opposite sides thereof, sleeves splined on said shaft and adapted to be moved endwise into and out of clutched engagement with said pinions, an endwise movable rod connecting said sleeves, and means for moving said sleeves endwise for connecting said pinions in alternation with said shaft, embracing arms pivotally mounted on one of said members and adapted to move toward said sleeves at a certain point in the relative rotation of said members; said arms and sleeves being provided with coacting parts adapted when said arms are moved toward said sleeves to effect the shifting of said sleeves endwise.

10. The combination of a pair of members rotatably mounted relatively to each other, an annular rack on one of said members, a shaft, pinions loosely mounted on said shaft and meshing with said rack at opposite sides thereof, sleeves splined on said shaft and adapted to be moved endwise into and out of clutching engagement with said pinions, an endwise movable rod connecting said sleeves, and means for moving said sleeves endwise for alternately connecting said sleeves with said pinions embracing arms pivotally mounted on one of said members, annular tracks on the other of said members; said arms having bearing on said tracks and the latter being each provided with a slot adapted in the relative rotation of said members to receive the free ends of said arms and permit said arms to move toward said sleeves; said sleeves and arms being provided with coacting parts adapted to effect the shifting of said sleeves endwise.

11. The combination of a pair of members rotatably mounted relatively to each other, an annular rack on one of said members, a shaft, pinions loosely mounted on said shaft and meshing with said rack at opposite sides thereof, sleeves splined 0n said shaft and adapted to be moved endwise into and out of clutched engagement with said pinions, an endwise movable rod, yokes secured to said rod and engaging said sleeves, said yokes being provided with ears, a vertically movable block provided with arms adapted to slidably engage said ears, a spring bearing against said block and yield-v ably maintaining said arms in engagement with said ears, and means actuated in the relative rotation ofv said members to effect the shifting of said sleeves and reverse the action of said shaft.

being both provided with a slot adapted in the relative rotation of said members to receive the free ends of said arms and permit the same to move toward said driving mechanism; said arms and said driving mechanism being provided with coacting parts adapted to effect the shifting of said clutch device, and said ring being adjustable circumferentially with respect to said track so that the angular distance between said slots may be varied.

18. The combination of a pair of members rotatively mounted relatively to each other, an annular rack on one of said members, a shaft, pinions loosely mounted on said shaft and meshingwith said rack at opposite sides thereof, sleeves splined on said shaft and adapted to be moved endwise into and out of clutched engagement with said pinions, means connecting said sleeves, and means for moving said sleeves endwise for alternately connecting said pinions with said shaft embracing arms pivotally mounted on one of said members, an annular track and ring on the other of said members, said arms having bearing on said track and ring, respectively, and each of the latter being provided with a slot adapted to receive the free ends of said arms in the relative rotation of said members and permit said arms to move toward said sleeves; said arms and sleeves being provided with coacting parts adapted when said arms move toward said sleeves to effect the shifting of said sleeves endwise, and said ring being capable of adjustment circumferentially for varying the angular distance between said slots.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses, this 23rd day of July A. D. 1914.

GUSTAF OLSON. Witnesses:

. EUGENE C. WANN,

MAURICE D. HERMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

